Lovely, Dark, and Deep Blog Tour: Excerpt + Giveaway

That's
exactly what happens to Viola Li after she returns from a trip abroad
and develops a sudden and extreme case of photosensitivity -- an
inexplicable allergy to sunlight. Thanks to her crisis-manager parents,
she doesn't just have to wear layers of clothes and a hat the size of a
spaceship. She has to stay away from all hint of light. Say goodbye to
windows and running outdoors. Even her phone becomes a threat when its
screen burns her.

Viola is determined to maintain a normal life,
particularly after she meets Josh. He's a funny, talented Thor
look-alike who carries his own mysterious grief. But the intensity of
their romance makes her take more and more risks, and when a rebellion
against her parents backfires dangerously, she must find her way to a
life -- and love -- as deep and lovely as her dreams.

Praise:

"A luminous read that will rekindle your
faith in the indomitable human spirit and make you want to spend more
time in starlight." ―Matthew Quick, author of The Silver Linings Playbook and Every Exquisite Thing

"Viola's story explores one of life's big
questions: are we defined by our losses or will we allow them to lead us
into an even more meaningful hero's journey? In Lovely, Dark, and
Deep,Justina Chen has crafted an inspiring, romantic novel full of
redemption and hope for teens and adults alike.” ―Mitali Perkins, author of You Bring the Distant Near

You can purchase Lovely, Dark, and Deep at the following Retailers:

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Searing white. My skin is fire. A lava field of magma pours over me. I am a vampire, burning to death in the sun. I cannot open my eyes. They are dry kindling, combustible. There is a buzzing in my ears. Is that my skin sizzling? Broiling? I almost moan, afraid, but can’t make a sound.

“Viola!” I hear from both far, far away and much, much too close.

I cringe.

“Viola.” My name, three notes of panic.

A hand presses into my forehead. I frown from the pain, shrink from the touch. A moan escapes me, no light, come- hither sound. Even I’m alarmed by what I hear: injured animal trapped in biting metal.

A billion layers of heaviness are cast over me. Another moan. No skin contact, no contact, no. But I can’t speak, and the cool fabric buries me. And I remember where I am: inside Josh’s truck, watching the meteors, kissing each other. We must have fallen asleep. Sunlight presses against my eyelids. How long have we been here, out in the open? I am sinking through the leather seat, the metal frame of the truck, the dirty snow, the pitted asphalt below.

Josh, I can hear him struggling with the broken sunroof, trying, trying, trying to slide it closed inside. He grunts, but even his Thor muscles cannot fix this brokenness. The driver’s side door opens and then slams shut. My parents are here. But no, I’m alone in Josh’s truck, light surrounding me like I’m standing at the doorsteps of heaven. Or before the inferno of hell.

So much light, it is hard to tell.

I want the black of my bedroom. The blinds. The blackout shades.

My wish is granted. The interior of the truck dims. Blessed, blessed dark.

The car door opens again, and I welcome the cold to soothe my hot- fire skin. I know I am covered in welts.

“Mom,” I whisper, wanting her so badly. She’ll know exactly what to do. Then Dad will make it happen.

“We’re getting you home soon, Ultra,” Josh says confidently, even if he can’t fulfill that promise. “The highway’s going to reopen before long.” He sighs. “I’m going to find a phone. Get help. Just hang tight. I’m sorry. So sorry.”

“Me, too,” I whisper to him. I’m sorry for coming up with this idea, sorry for leaving the safety of home, sorry to drag him down with me.

Storytelling runs in Justina Chen’s blood. After all, her middle name means illuminate, which is what story does: it throws light on a message.

Justina is an award-winning author of
six books for young adults. Her forthcoming novel, Lovely, Dark, and
Deep, will be available in Spring, 2018. Her most recent book, A BLIND SPOT FOR BOYS, is on a Booklist Top 10 list. NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL was named one of the Best Books of the Year by Kirkus Reviews and was a finalist of 9 state book awards. And her debut novel, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (AND A FEW WHITE LIES), won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature.

In addition to being a writer, Justina is a story strategist to leaders and co-founder of Chen & Cragen,
a boutique communications agency that transforms good executives into
extraordinary leaders. Seen as a thought leader in communications, the
Rockefeller Foundation invited Justina to be part of their twelve-person
convening on storytelling for social good, along with CNN, BBC, NPR,
and Google. Translation: she got to spend some quality time with amazing
storytellers on the shores of Lake Bellagio.

A passionate advocate of literacy, Justina also co-founded readergirlz,
a cutting-edge social media project for teens, which was awarded the
National Book Foundation’s Prize for Innovations in Reading. She
graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University where she won the
Dean’s Award for Service.